Chelsea vs Brighton: Jorginho and Willian net Frank Lampard first Premier League home win

Chelsea 2-0 Brighton: Two second-half goals were enough to earn all three points

Andy Sims
Stamford Bridge
Saturday 28 September 2019 12:02 EDT
Comments
Chelsea: 2019/20 Premier League season preview

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Frank Lampard got his first Premier League home win as Chelsea boss as second-half goals from Jorginho and Willian sank Brighton 2-0.

The Blues had peppered the Brighton goal throughout the first half but only made the breakthrough when Jorginho tucked in a penalty five minutes after half-time.

Willian's well-taken second secured a maiden three points at home for Lampard, while Brighton never really threatened to deny the hosts a first clean sheet of the season.

For the Seagulls, the Graham Potter revolution has yet to take off and they have now not won since the opening weekend of the season.

Not that the omens were particularly promising for them here.

They had lost all eight previous league meetings with Chelsea and have now set an English record for most games played, and lost, against one opponent.

Nor had Brighton ever scored at Stamford Bridge in five visits. In their two Premier League trips to west London they mustered two shots on target. On Saturday they managed one, in stoppage time.

Chelsea, by contrast, had 17 shots - three of them sitters - in a one-sided first half without finding a way through.

They were inches away from taking the lead when Tammy Abraham glanced a header which bounced against a post.

Ross Barkley should have put them ahead in the 36th minute when he met Marcos Alonso's cross at the far post, but the England midfielder's cushioned volley gave Mat Ryan a chance to make a save and the Australian did so superbly.

Worse was to come in front of the Brighton goal, Pedro shooting straight at Ryan when clean through before Alonso arrived at the far post only to blaze over from three yards out.

Willian wrapped up the win
Willian wrapped up the win (AP)

Brighton somehow survived the first half, but five minutes into the second Adam Webster hit the self-destruct button.

Webster's poor touch in the area allowed Mason Mount to poke the ball away from him, and as the defender tried to win it back he tripped the youngster.

Jorginho assumed penalty-taking duties despite Pedro notching one against Grimsby in midweek, and the Italian coolly rolled it home.

A short backpass almost gifted Abraham Chelsea's second but Ryan was quickly off his line to snuff out the danger.

Brighton briefly threatened an equaliser, Steven Alzate seeing a shot deflected wide before Dan Burn headed the resulting corner into the ground and up off the crossbar.

But their rally was short-lived, Callum Hudson-Odoi feeding Willian who charged into the box and finished at the near post.

It was a routine victory, Brighton's lack of menace summed up when Dale Stephens' shot rolled apologetically into the hands of Chelsea keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga seconds from the final whistle.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in